The first Science Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) conference was held on 28th September with students from 12 Institutes of Technology (IOTS) presenting their undergraduate research findings at three centres; AIT, DIT and WIT.
In total there were 27 oral presentations and 67 poster presentations from across the IOTs.
This conference was the showcase event for the SURE network which is a disciplinary network and member of the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. This network is supported by the Heads of Schools of Science throughout the IOTs, THEA and numerous companies and professional organisations.
The conference was held simultaneously in three IOTs. IT, Sligo students attended the Athlone, IT (AIT) centre as did AIT and GMIT. IT Sligo was represented by three oral speakers and 10 poster presenters. This was a great achievement for our students all of whom will be graduating in October. The quality of their research and the confidence in their presentations shows that they are well equipped to progress to the next stage of their careers in science.
The conference was also an opportunity for our current year four students to see the research that can be achieved in their own research projects during this academic year.
The conference committee organised a workshop in postgraduate research where the attendees were informed of the various routes into postgraduate studies and the opportunities postgraduate research offers. Stephen McGirr from IT, Sligo‘s CERIS research group was one of our postgraduates presenting at this event giving an insight to the 4th years of benefits of following on to postgraduate studies.
There were also speakers from local industry namely Abbott and Jazz pharmaceuticals where the experiences of staff in both companies offered advice on career progression in the science field.
Overall this was a fantastic opportunity for our recent graduates to present their research and for our current 4th year students to gain an insight into what is in store for them over the next year.
The local committee at IT, Sligo comprises: Dr. Fiona McArdle, Dr, Nicolas Touzet, Ms. Laura Keaver and Dr. Eva Campion. In September 2018, IT Sligo will be hosting this conference for the region and we look forward to many more undergraduate students presenting their work.